Eagles Close with Round to Remember
June 15, 2013
By Dean Holzwarth
Special to Second Half
ALLENDALE – Grand Rapids Christian's Ken Bokhoven has been coaching boys golf for more than three decades.
But it wasn't until Saturday afternoon that the longtime coach had the opportunity to celebrate an MHSAA title.
The Eagles captured their first championship in program history with a six-shot win over Marshall in the Lower Peninsula Division 2 Final at The Meadows at Grand Valley State.
Grand Rapids Christian carded a two-day score of 636. It followed up Friday's 315 with a 321 in the final round.
Overall, combined with track and field, Bokhoven has been guiding athletes at the Grand Rapids-based private school for 51 years.
“He's coached for 51 years, and this is his first, so I can't imagine how he is feeling right now,” said Grand Rapids Christian junior Ben VanScoyk, who shot rounds of 75 and 78 to close at 153 and in a tie for fourth overall.
“It's definitely special, and we wanted to win for Coach with all he's been through. He's been through a lot in his life, and he's showed so much dedication to Christian High and athletics. It's special knowing that Coach can finally have something to lean on for golf and his first one.”
Bokhoven, who was doused with a water cooler after the round, tried to keep his team focused on the task at hand despite charging to a six-stroke lead after the first day.
“My pep talk consisted of, 'guys, go make some memories',” Bokhoven said. “I'm excited, and this is about as excited as I get. But in golf you have to stay relaxed and even-keel. It worked out well for us, and anytime you set a goal and you achieve that goal, it's rewarding. You feel like this is reaping the rewards of your efforts.”
The Eagles' previous top finish at an MHSAA Final was third in 2010. Bokhoven believed this year's team had the potential to make a serious run after winning a Regional title the week before.
“Five Regional champions come here, and I told the kids that we can compete,” Bokhoven said. “We came in thinking we could be in the hunt, and I told them after the first day on the way home that we're the hunted now. We are not in the hunt.”
Grand Rapids Christian's roster contained only one senior, Tom Voskuil. Five of its top six players will be back next season.
“Being a senior, I'm not going to lie, it's an emotional day for me,” Voskuil said. “Just because golf is a sport that is all about putting in the work, and I'm not playing in college so this is it for me.
“We didn't know if we had a chance coming into this tournament because some of the teams here were historically good, and we were surprised we were up by six after day one. We just had to hold on, and we were able to do that.”
Marshall shot 642 after rounds of 322 and 320. Juniors Aaron McCoy and Tanor Blowers each shot 159 to lead the team.
“We're disappointed, but I'm happy for Grand Rapids Christian because talking to their athletic director, he said it’s their first championship ever, so I know how that feels and that's good stuff,” Marshall coach Thomas Reynolds said. “I knew we had a shot at it, but this golf course is so hard. It was a nightmare, and we normally shoot around 310 to 320 as a team. Did they play to their potential? It's kind of hard to say with this golf course.”
Comstock Park junior Ryan Bayer, playing in his first MHSAA Final, overcame a triple-bogey en route to a stunning debut and an MHSAA individual title.
Bayer fired a 2-over 74 in the final round and defeated defending individual champion Nick Carlson of Hamilton by two strokes.
“It feels great, and I'm so happy,” said Bayer, who shot 75 Friday and finished at149. “I didn't even think about something like this, and I just wanted a couple solid rounds. I was nervous halfway through because I knew it was going to be close.
“I knew I would be up there, but I wasn't expecting to be all the way at the top.”
After the triple on the par-3, 17th-hole, Bayer rebounded to drain a 20-foot putt for par on No. 18. He capped his round with a 25-foot birdie putt on his final hole.
“I thought that was going to win it for me, but I ended up winning by two shots,” Bayer said. “It was like frosting on top of the cake. I played steady all day.”
Carlson shot a 4-over 76 Saturday for a 151 total. He won last year's individual title as a freshman at Katke Golf Course in Big Rapids.
“I had a shot, and a darn good one at that. I just needed to play a little better and have some different things happen,” Carlson said. “I didn't play to my potential, and I could've played a lot better. But coming out here and taking second trying to defend was pretty cool.”
PHOTOS: (Top) A Grand Rapids Christian player fires a shot during his team's round Saturday at The Meadows at Grand Valley State. (Middle) The Eagles pose with their first MHSAA team title trophy. (Click to see more at HighSchoolsSportsScene.com.)
Mid Pen Senior Wins Family Matchup, North Central Takes Back Team Title
By
Jason Juno
Special for MHSAA.com
May 30, 2024
ESCANABA – Rock Mid Peninsula’s Bradly VanDamme doesn’t get much better competition than what his eighth-grade brother Christian brings to the golf course.
Last year, Bradly’s only win against Christian came at the Upper Peninsula Division 3 Final. This year, Bradly finished ahead of his brother in every event leading up to the championship tournament, but a second consecutive U.P. title still wasn’t a sure thing as Bradly wound down his senior year.
“We were waking up this morning, and we didn’t really know who was going to get it,” Bradly said. “We’ve been tight all year.”
Bradly came out on top with a 73, and Christian finished runner-up with a 76 on Thursday at Escanaba Country Club.
“It’s sweet,” Bradly said of claiming two straight U.P. Finals titles. “It’s what I dreamed of. Just grinding all summer long, especially all spring and the winter going with my buddies and hitting the simulator. It’s just what you strive for.”
He said he got off the tee well all day.
“I just put myself in some good positions,” he said. “If you can get off the tee well, this course is relatively short.”
His mom, and coach, Earlene VanDamme, said he’s done well in every tournament this season.
“He’s a strong player and he put a lot of development into it this past year, and it’s paid off again,” she said.
His practice and hard work got him where he is, she said. So did a little motivation from his brother.
“I think that is a good driving force,” she said.
Bradly VanDamme said his brother’s game is strong overall.
“He’s got a very bright future,” he said.
Powers North Central won the Division 3 team title with a score of 338, and Lake Linden-Hubbell was second at 349. The title was the Jets' second in three seasons.
“This is kind of sweet,” North Central coach Scott Farnsworth said, while choking up. “Good group of kids. I have 12 kids out, all very enthusiastic, these guys work hard for me all the time.”
He knew they had a good chance of winning going into the event. The Jets lost four times to Division 2 schools in their conference but were close to them each time.
“This whole group, you hear of gym rats, these guys are golf rats,” he said. “We get done with the meet, they’re going to play another 18. They are really nice to have, they get out there, do whatever I ask. They just get out and play. That’s what you’ve got to do.”
North Central was led by Alex Popkorn, who carded an 82 and finished in a tie for fourth individually. Lake Linden-Hubbell’s Bradley Axford was third with a 78 and Cedarville/DeTour’s Drew Moser also tied for fourth with an 82.
PHOTOS (Top) Powers North Central holds up its latest championship trophy Thursday at Escanaba Country Club. (Middle) Mid Peninsula’s Christian VanDamme sends an approach shot on No. 13. (Photos by Jason Juno.)